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AssigneeToolz, Ltd.
InventorsChristopher A. Tacklind, William F. Carlsen Jr., Darren Chin-Ho Kim, Eugene F. Duval, Andrew G. Butler, Thomas Zimmerman
Estimating the term…
Abstract of Disclosure A multi-beam tool is disclosed which can perform square, plumb, and level function which may be required in a construction environment. The tool can generate in a preferred embodiment up to five orthogonal beams with two beams being plumb and three beams being leveled. Combinations of two level beams, or a level and a plumb beam in orthogonal arrangement can produce a square alignment set of beams. The tool includes in a preferred arrangement a self-leveling pendulum to which a laser and quad-mirror arrangement is secured. The self-leveling pendulum is damped in order to allow the tool to settle down and provide alignment after the tool is positioned as desired. The quadmirror, the magnetic damping, and the coiled wire allowing power to be provided to the laser assembly, each separately, and also in combination, provide for a compact tool.
A method for producing a plurality of light beams from a single laser source, in a laser alignment device, comprising:
The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of collimating the beam of laser radiation.
The method of claim 2, in which a lens means is used to collimate the beam of laser radiation.
Apparatus for producing a plurality of light beams from a laser source, comprising:
The apparatus of claim 4, further comprising a lens disposed to collimating the beam of laser radiation.
A reflective device for use with a multiple beam laser alignment system for the purpose of allowing a first portion of an incident laser beam from a laser source to continue unhindered along its original axis, while reflecting a second portion of the beam along one or more different axis, comprising:
The device of claim 6, in which the first and second reflective surfaces are elliptical, and oriented at an angle to the incident beam such that the cross-section of the reflected beams is circular.
The device of claim 6, in which the reflective surfaces are substantially square.
The device of claim 6, in which the reflective surfaces are substantially rectangular.
A reflective device for use with a multiple beam laser alignment system for the purpose of allowing a first portion of an incident laser beam from a laser source to continue unhindered along its original axis, while reflecting a second portion of the beam along one or more different axis, comprising:
A system for producing a plurality of light beams on orthogonal and intersecting lines, comprising:
A system for producing a plurality of light beams on orthogonal and intersecting lines, comprising:
The system of claim 12, wherein the center portion of the reflective element comprises a center transmission portion positioned to receive and transmit a middle portion of the collimated beam, without reflection, producing a fifth beam, wherein the reflective element has an opening at said center portion for transmission of the beam.
The system of claim 12, wherein the reflective element comprises a solid block with a central hole for transmission of a fifth beam.
A reflective element, comprising:
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the other sections are conical sections.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the other sections are planar non-reflective surfaces.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein each facet is oriented at about 45 degrees relative to the axial direction.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the aperture has a rectangular cross-section.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the aperture has a square cross-section.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the aperture has a circular cross-section.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein at least some of the facets are rectangular.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein at least some of the facets are square.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein at least one of the plural facets is larger than at least one other of the plural facets.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the body forms four reflective facets and four other sections in-between the four reflective facets.
The reflective element of claim 25, wherein the four facets are disposed at substantially 45° relative to the axial direction and are substantially evenly disposed at 90° intervals around an edge of the aperture.
The reflective element of claim 26, wherein two of the facets disposed on opposite sides of the aperture are larger than the other two facets.
The reflective element of claim 26, wherein the four other sections are conical sections and substantially parallel boundaries define the intersection between each facet and adjacent conical sections.
The reflective element of claim 15, wherein the reflective facets are elliptical.
An optical tool, comprising:
The optical tool of claim 30, wherein the light source is a laser diode.
The optical tool of claim 31, further comprising a collimating lens disposed between the light source and the unitary body for directing a collimated beam of laser light at the reflective facets.
The optical tool of claim 32, wherein the other sections are conical sections.
The optical tool of claim 32, wherein each facet is oriented at about 45 degrees to the axial direction.
The optical tool of claim 34, wherein the aperture has a rectangular cross-section.
The optical tool of claim 34, wherein at least some of the facets are rectangular.
The optical tool of claim 34, wherein the body forms four facets and four other sections in-between the four facets.
The optical tool of claim 37, wherein the four facets are substantially evenly disposed at 90° intervals around an edge of the aperture.
The optical tool of claim 32, wherein substantially parallel boundaries define the intersection between each reflective facet and adjacent other sections.
The optical tool of claim 32, wherein the facets are elliptical.
A method of manufacturing a unitary reflective element, comprising the steps of:
The method of claim 41, wherein the cutting step comprises cutting one of the mirrors with each pass of a diamond-point fly-cutter.
The method of claim 42, wherein the cutting step yields planar mirrors having substantially parallel edges adjacent each conical section.
A construction tool for producing a plurality of light beams on intersecting lines, comprising:
The tool of claim 44, wherein the mirrors are elliptical.
The tool of claim 44, wherein the other in-between sections are conical sections.
The tool of claim 44, wherein the light source is a diode laser.
The tool of claim 44, wherein the unitary reflective element defines at least four mirrors reflecting portions of the collimated beam along two orthogonal intersecting lines.